Obama celebrates Roe v. Wade; ‘gov’t should not intrude on private family matters’…

President Obama waves as he walks past the Marine One helicopter on the South Lawn of the White House on Friday. Obama backed abortion rights Saturday in a statement about the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

President Obama echoed his support for abortion rights today, the 38th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s pro-choice decision in Roe v. Wade.

“Government should not intrude on private family matters,” Obama said in a statement, adding that he also supports policies to prevented “unintended pregnancies.”

The president made his statement as thousands of abortion opponents planned annual March for Life rallies, with many hoping that the new Republican-run House will enact new restrictions on the practice.

“We are seeing a cultural shift toward protecting life and rolling back the tide of unrestricted abortions,” said Charmaine Yoest, president of Americans United for Life.

Obama’s statement:

Today marks the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that protects women’s health and reproductive freedom, and affirms a fundamental principle: that government should not intrude on private family matters.

I am committed to protecting this constitutional right. I also remain committed to policies, initiatives, and programs that help prevent unintended pregnancies, support pregnant women and mothers, encourage healthy relationships, and promote adoption.

And on this anniversary, I hope that we will recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights, the same freedoms, and the same opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams.